Look for her first story on Chef María José San Román from the Michelin starred restaurant, Monastrell located in Alicante, Spain this Weds, April 25.

Make sure to follow Stef’s updates:

@Adventuregirl on Twitter

Adventure Girl on Facebook

Adventure Girl on Youtube

Adventure Girl on Pinterest

More about Exclusive Resorts:

Exclusive Resorts is the world’s leading private club for luxury travel experiences, orchestrating once in a lifetime moments for it members on luxury vacations all around the world. It is the one and only Club that combines a collection of hundreds of stunning luxury homes, members-only experiential travel, immersive cultural journeys, VIP events, and world-class privileges and benefits into a single, seamless membership.

Founded in 2002, the company has delivered more than 150,000 vacations for its thousands of members. For more information, visit www.exclusiveresorts.com, call (800) 447-8988, and follow Exclusive Resorts on Facebook and Twitter.

COSTA RICA WINS BID TO HOST 2013 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

San Jose, COSTA RICA (April 19, 2012) – For the third consecutive year, Costa Rica will host a qualifying competition for the Adventure Racing World Series from April 21-28 in the coastal cities of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. This is the only qualifying competition in Latin America, which will culminate in a world championship in France this September. The competition will consist of several different adventure activities including mountain biking, hiking, sea kayaking, rafting, canopying and canyoning, among others. Furthermore, in order to offset CO2 emissions related to the competition, teams will plant trees and partake in other environmentally-friendly activities throughout the race.

“Adventure tourism is one of the main activities for visitors to Costa Rica,” commented Ireth Rodriguez, deputy director of marketing for the Costa Rica Tourism Board. “Seventy-two percent of tourists that travel to Costa Rica participate in adventure-related activities such as kayaking, surfing, rafting and bungee jumping, positioning us as a leader in this segment,” she continued.

The 2012 Costa Rica Adventure Race is comprised of 18 competing teams from countries such as France, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark,  Italy, and, of course, Costa Rica. The teams will participate in a 326 mile trek through rural, populated and inaccessible areas throughout Puntarenas and Guanacaste, with the winning team being granted a $6,000 prize and an invitation to the finals in France. The team that comes in second place will win $3,000 in prize money, while the third place team will be awarded a prize of $1,000.

The Adventure Race World Series is comprised of 11 qualifying competitions around the world, where competitors race non-stop for up to eight days at a time. Costa Rica’s Northern Zone and Caribbean Coast were home to qualifying competitions in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2013, Costa Rica will host the Adventure Race World Championship between October and November, where 90 teams from over 30 countries from around the world will participate. Costa Rica was chosen for being a quality tourist destination with exuberant nature, an optimum tourism infrastructure and its sustainability practices. It didn’t hurt that the country is a long-time supporter of the race and host to three qualifying competitions from 2010-2012.

“It’s such an honor for Costa Rica to be selected as the host of the 2013 Adventure Race World Championship,” commented Ireth Rodriguez, deputy director of marketing for the Costa Rica Tourism Board. “Being chosen as the host city for such a prestigious international event showcases the country as a premiere adventure destination,” she continued.

For more information about the 2012 Costa Rica Adventure Race, please visit http://www.arworldseries.com/races/costarica.html.

###

About Costa Rica

Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. The country represents only .05 percent of the planet’s surface but shelters almost 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity and 3.5 percent of the world’s marine life. Costa Rica is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, four types of forest, 12 microclimates and more than 500 species of flora and fauna, with more than 26 percent of its territory comprising national parks and other protected areas, making the country one of the most popular sustainable tourism destinations in the world.

Greater Miami & the Beaches is home to the some of the most spectacular, challenging and desirable golf courses in the world.  And now, with the spring golf season underway, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is announcing its first-ever Miami Golf Month during April.

For the next month, golfers will be able to take advantage of special offers, discounts and hotel packages to celebrate the internationally recognized golf courses and resorts in the destination.  Home to more than 30 golf courses, Greater Miami & the Beaches also boasts one of only four World Golf Championship events and plays host to golfers from all over the world at such desired courses like that of Doral Golf Resort and Spa, the Miami Beach Golf Club (designed by the legendary Arthur Hills) and the Normandy Golf Club.

“With our beautiful climate, stunning views, accommodating locations, and multiple premiere golf events, Greater Miami & the Beaches is one of the most desirable locations in the world to play golf in,” said William D. Talbert III, CDME, president and CEO of the GMCVB.  “Although golf is a year-round sport in Miami, we’re proud to be officially celebrating it during the month of April.  Whether you aspire to be the next PGA champion or just want some weekend time to improve your game, Miami has a course for you.”

Golf Resorts participating in Miami Golf Month include:

•          The Biltmore Golf Club

•          Doral Golf Resort & Spa

•          Miccosukee Golf & Club

•          Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club

•          Turnberry Isle Miami

Golf Courses participating in Miami Golf Month include:

•          Briar Bay Golf Course

•          Country Club of Miami

•          Crandon Golf Key Biscayne

•          Greynolds Golf Course

•          International Links Miami – Melreese Country Club

•          Miami Beach Golf Club

•          Normandy Golf Club

•          Palmetto Golf Course

To kick off the month, the GMCVB has organized a series of consumer interactive stunts throughout April that will offer consumers promotional giveaways and additional information on the month’s offerings.  The first took place at WrestleMania Pro-Am Golf Tournament with other events to follow in the coming weeks at Aventura Mall, Bayside Marketplace, Miami International Airport, and Miami Beach Polo.

“Miami is truly one of the world’s marquee golf destinations, and  having played a longtime role on  the Miami golf scene, I’m thrilled to have the  opportunity to partner with the GMCVB on Miami Golf Month to highlight the best of golf in Greater Miami,” said Charlie Delucca, President of Delucca Enterprises, Inc., which manages the International Links Miami – Melreese County Club.

More information can be found on www.MiamiGolfMonth.com

The Inn at the White Elephant Village will open summer 2012* with 20 units, including 14 suites and six deluxe guest rooms. Located on South Beach Street, the new Inn and existing White Elephant Residences will comprise the newly-created White Elephant Village, a natural extension of the award-winning White Elephant hotel that continues to be rated among the top hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines.

As part of the expansion, the Village will have its own lobby, including reception area, concierge, fireplace, gift shop, and business center. The lobby will serve morning coffee, pastries, all-day snacks, and late-afternoon port and cheese – creating a natural hub for guests. All guests of the White Elephant Village will continue to enjoy exclusive use of the Village’s heated pool and cabanas, fitness center, and complimentary bicycles.

Celebrated Nantucket interior designer Kathleen Hay will bring a warm, neutral palette to the Inn, providing a sophisticated and comfortable décor. Reflecting the ambiance of its island location, the Inn will feature over-sized windows, allowing natural sunlight to illuminate the rooms, and quintessential Nantucket wainscoting detail throughout. Each of the suites and deluxe guest rooms will be replete with HD flat-screen TVs and miniature refrigerators as well as linens by Pratesi, plush turkish towels, bathrobes, and cozy slippers. Ideal for families, the 14 suites will offer sofa beds to accommodate couples traveling with children and four of the suites will feature fireplaces.

Managing Director of Nantucket Island Resorts Khaled Hashem sees this expansion as a positive sign that tourism in Nantucket is continuing to grow. “We are excited with the addition of the Inn that will further enable us to host families and groups in the award winning accommodations these travelers expect from the White Elephant.”

*The iconic White Elephant hotel and White Elephant Hotel Residences will open for the season on April 19. Guests can book now for suites and guest rooms this summer at the Inn at the White Elephant Village.

For more information visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com or call 800.475.2637.

About Nantucket Island Resorts

Nantucket Island Resorts is a collection of premier hotels on Nantucket that specialize in bringing the unique Nantucket lifestyle to all guests. From boating to fine dining to a large number of island festivals and events, Nantucket Island Resorts caters to its visitors and offers vacation planning that lets you get the most out of a Nantucket vacation while staying in a fantastic array of accommodations. Properties include The Wauwinet, ideal for romance with access and views of both bay and ocean beaches and home to the award-winning TOPPER’S restaurant, White Elephant, the iconic hotel located right on Nantucket Harbor that offers a lovely arrangements of rooms, suites, cottages, and a stunning loft as well as the Brant Point Grill, the White Elephant Village offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom Residences and the new Inn, Jared Coffin House, a historic and charming inn located in Nantucket Town, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, waterfront cottages with full kitchens located on three wharves jutting out into Nantucket Harbor and featuring 12 pet-friendly accommodations, and Nantucket Boat Basin, a 240 slip full-service award winning marina.

Accept the Rose at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

Location for the ninth episode of ABC’s The Bachelor

Switzerland, March 12, 2012 – The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, nestled between two stunning Alpine lakes and at the foot of the majestic Jungfrau mountain, played host to Bachelor Ben Flajnik and his bevy of beautiful bachelorettes, Courtney Robertson, Lindzi Cox, and Nicki Sterling, on the ninth episode of ABC’s famous TV Show, The Bachelor. Luckily for all Bachelor fans, a romantic Swiss getaway is no longer just an idle daydream. Those wishing to follow in the footsteps of Bachelor Ben can do just that with the Victoria-Jungfrau’s Bachelor’s Rose package.

Ben’s date activities at the Victoria-Jungfrau included a candlelit dinner in the hotel’s elegant Salon Rouge and a scenic picnic lunch prepared by the hotel. At night, things heated up when Bachelor Ben chose to spend the night in the Fantasy Suites on three separate occasions with each bachelorette. To replicate the passion and glamor of these dates, the package includes a picnic basket and a candlelit dinner for two in the Salon Rouge as well as breakfast in bed and couples pampering in the hotel’s wellness wing, which is home to an ESPA treatment center and the world’s only SENSAI SELECT SPA.

Fortunately one of the show’s nerve-wracking rose ceremonies is not included; however, the hotel’s lakeside location, stunning views of the Alps, and the city’s Old World charm will certainly inspire The Bachelor-style romance.

The Bachelor’s Rose package includes:

• Three nights in a spacious Bel Air Junior Suite in the Spa Wing
• Bouquet of red roses upon arrival
• Three romantic breakfasts in bed (or, as an alternative, in the restaurant)
• One exclusive candlelit dinner for two at the Salon Rouge including a bottle of sparkling champagne
• One couples massage followed by two hours spa time in the private spa suite with separate sauna, steam bath, and bath
• One five-star picnic basket for a romantic hike in the Swiss alps
• Limousine transfer from/to Interlaken train station

Rates start at CHF 1890 (approximately $2,049 per person, double occupancy). The package is valid for the entirety of 2012 and can be booked by emailing reservation@victoria-jungfrau.ch or by calling +41 (0)33 828 28 28.

About The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
First opened in 1865 as one of the first true luxury hotels, the Victoria-Jungfrau continues to be the standard-bearer of the legendary Swiss hospitality.  The stunningly modern renovations of the resort complement its original Belle Époque design.  With its location in resort town of Interlaken, the hotel is an ideal starting point for those wishing to ski, hike, bike, or sail through the lakes and nearby Alps.  A 60,000 square foot wellness wing, including an ESPA treatment center and SENSAI SELECT SPA, provides a relaxing wellness retreat, and the four restaurants offer a range of cuisine from Swiss specialties to haute French.

About The Bachelor

On ABC’s hit primetime romance reality series The Bachelor, one lucky man is offered the chance to find true love. A single and eligible Bachelor embarks on a romantic journey, getting to know a bevy of beautiful bachelorettes, gradually narrowing the field to the one woman to whom he may propose marriage in the dramatic season finale. Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelor is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.

BULGARI HOTEL
Milan, Italy

It’s hardly a surprise that the luxury-goods house Bulgari is the proprietor of one of Milan’s sexiest (and largest) indoor pools — dressed in 25 meters of emerald-green mosaic tile./Tablet

TRADERS HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There’s plenty to look at in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, and the ideal vantage point is from the comfort of a pool-side chaise at Traders Hotel, just opposite the epic Petronas Towers./Tablet

HOTEL 1898
Barcelona, Spain
Hotel 1898 calls its indoor pool an “aquatic relaxation zone,” and they’ve got a point. With stone walls and arched ceilings, this grotto is a world away from the frenzy of Las Ramblas./Tablet

MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK
New York City, New York, USA
Rooftop pools may be all the rage these days in Gotham, but in winter the sensible swimmer heads indoors, to seek shelter in the MO’s immaculate digs inside the Time Warner Center./Tablet

THE OPPOSITE HOUSE
Beijing, China
It’s probably only the second most famous indoor pool in post-olympics Beijing, but the stainless steel–clad pool at the Opposite House is as handsome to look at as it is pleasant to use./Tablet

THE OBSERVATORY HOTEL
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
As you wade in the the subterranean pool at Sydney’s Observatory Hotel, you can study the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere painted on the ceiling overhead./Tablet

VILLA KENNEDY
Frankfurt, Germany
The pool at Villa Kennedy rallies around the notion that the best things come in small packages. Its 15-meter pool is blessedly tranquil, facing onto the hotel’s central garden./Tablet

UMAID BHAWAN PALACE
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Expect nothing short of fantasy at this former royal residence. The exceedingly placid Zodiac pool is adorned with floating candles, rose petals and the murals of Polish artist Stefan Norblin./Tablet

CROWN METROPOL
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The Crown Metropol’s pool is sky-high — the 27th floor, to be exact — and its double-height ceilings only add more drama to what’s already an over-the-top aquatic experience./Tablet

BURJ AL ARAB
Dubai, UAE
Like everything about the Burj, the pool on the 18th floor (more like the 36th, since each floor is nearly double height) is (more like the 36th, since each floor is nearly double height) is outrageous — proof that maximalism is alive and well./Tablet

Thanks Tablet Hotels for those amazing Top 10 picks.

Now, here’s Adventure Girl’s additional TOP 5 pool picks…

HOTEL DUE TORRI
Abano Terme, Italy
Just a short drive away from Padua (approx 7 miles) and a short drive from Venice, Italy’s spa destination in and of itself oozes relaxation. Hote Due Torri sits in the heart of the Euganean Hills. Can we say peace and tranquility…

HOTEL BELLEVUE
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Beautiful floor to ceiling windows boast a view of The Dalmatian coast, Croatian isles and jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

BATHOUSE @ MANDALAY RESORT
Las Vegas, Nevada
To say the BATHHOUSE pool is unique, is an understatement. From the point of entry to this stunning pool area, minimalistic, yet cozy, and a designer edge to it like no other.

TALLINK SPA & HOTEL
Tallin, Estonia
More like Disneyland than typical hotel pool, the Tallink impresses upon its guests to enjoy the water. Swim up pool bar, waterfall features complete with central fire feature, and a saltwater pool helps make those long winters tolerable.

SWISSÔTEL ANKARA
Çankaya, Turkey
The Ankara’s half-size Olympic indoor swimming pool is as dazzling as the large mozaic pattern on its floor. Don’t know how to swim? Swimming instructor is available upon request.

Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about each parade.

What does it take to get adventurous in life? Adventure girl, Stefanie Michaels helps get you on the road to inspiration, simple ideas and launching your adventurous spirit.

Get off your couch! Whether you want to meet Oprah Winfrey, live your singing dream and get discovered on American Idol, scale Mount Everest or simply investigate a new restaurant… You will have to do so by turning off the tube and stepping into life. Scientists call this socializing.

Read magazines that inspire you, if it is travel- Pick up old-school guides such as Frommers and Lonely Planet, or magazines such as “Conde Nast Traveler”. Clip your favorite places and create a fantasy file of trips you want to take.

There is adventure just outside your front…you just need to look for it. Take a different route to the supermarket- slow down and look around. Notice what is open to you in your city- a community college offering that class you have always wanted to take, a travel agency just opened- stop in and book a trip to somewhere you have always wanted to go, stroll through the park, take a hike or a long walk. Notice things and people around you.

Live life spontaneously- Let it come from your heart.

Switch it up! Make a change- it could be as simple as changing your lipstick color, shaving your beard, ordering something new off the menu. You are “being adventurous.”

Adventure is an expression of your curiosity- Ask questions, be inquisitive.

If someone asks you on an adventure- go! Travel is the epitome of adventure. Step out into the world, seek diversity, and expose yourself to various cultures.

Find a friend to help you in becoming more adventurous. Turn to Twitter to meet like-minded travelers and adventure seekers!Sharing adventure is part of “the getting adventurous” process.

Don’t just visit places you are traveling to. Meet locals, get a way from chain restaurants like McDonald’s and try an ethnic dish or two, try to learn the language and customs. It’s more to share with your friends back home!

Keep every day open to possibility. The more you are out and about, the more people you will meet, the more experiences you will have. Hey! You never know who that person will be to step into your life and ask you on an adventure of a lifetime!

Tips

It is very easy to fall into life’s monotony, so mix it up! Challenge yourself by trying something new! Being adventurous at first might be challenging. Let it start in your heart and mind… And the rest will come naturally!

Warnings

Once you get adventurous, you will have too much fun.

Things You’ll Need

Enthusiasm, dare to dream, knowing the possibilities are endless, a zest to live life, a great sense of humor, the quest for knowledge, being open to change.

Portlandia, the television series set in Portland has taken Portlanders by storm. Featuring Saturday Night Live cast members, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, the show has become a hit. Those who watch it know why. Hilarious writing, quirky sub-plots, and appearances by celebrities such as, Steve Buscemi, Selma Blair and Jason Sudeikis.

What makes this all so fun and tied together for the traveler, is the fact that Portland’s thriving movie brewpubs have created just the spot for social gatherings to watch the show. The second season episodes began airing in January 2012.

Portlandia fantatics will be thrilled to learn that Portland’s mayor (who also guest starred in the show) proclaimed January 21, 2011 Portlandia Day. And, it was bound to happen… much like what the movie Sideways did for the wine country, Portlandia is doing for America’s number one biking capital. Portland Bike Tour and Rental Company  (http://www.portlandbicycletours.com) is offering up Portlandia themed biking tours.

For the traveler visiting Portland, hitting one of these movie brewpubs (whether to watch Portlandia or not) is a must-do adventure.

I’m typically not the type of traveler who relishes in getting to a movie while on a holiday, but the experience of sitting in cozy couches, eating great food, while drinking a dark beer on tap- brewed right there on the spot, is just my kind of heaven. Not to mention, the ticket prices aren’t bad, under $5.00 US for a first run movie, and on-tap specials are offered nightly.

How did this all come about? From the brilliance of two brothers who run the McMenamins Company. The company whose initial goal was to preserve local landmarks, successfully turned dilapidated buildings into the best of what entertainment has to offer, all the while- creating social spaces for the community.

Top Picks:

The Kennedy School 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, OR 97211; 503-249-3983

The Mission 1624 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209; 503-223-4527

The Bagdad 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; 503-236-9234

To learn more: www.mcmenamins.com

Every country has an independence day, aka the day each country was born onto the map of the world. Thanks to About.com, there list is notated below.

Fast Facts:

*A majority of the countries became independent after 1800.

*20 were independent before the start of the 19th century- 10%. By 1900,  49 or 25% of the world’s countries of today were independent.

*Many countries became independent following World War II when European powers granted independence to their vast colonial holdings, especially Africa.

Here are the independence days for every country, from the oldest to the youngest…

660 BCE – Japan
221 BCE – China
301 CE – San Marino
843 CE – France
976 CE – Austria
10th Century CE – Denmark
1001 – Hungary
1143 – Portugal
1206 – Mongolia
1238 – Thailand
1278 – Andorra
August 1, 1291 – Switzerland
1419 – Monaco
15th Century – Spain
1502 – Iran
June 6, 1523 – Sweden
January 23, 1579 – Netherlands
1650 – Oman
May 1, 1707 – United Kingdom
January 23, 1719 – Liechtenstein
1768 – Nepal
July 4, 1776 – United States of America
January 1, 1804 – Haiti
July 20, 1810 – Colombia
Sept. 16, 1810 – Mexico
Sept. 18, 1810 – Chile
May 14, 1811 – Paraguay
July 5, 1811 – Venezuela
July 9, 1816 – Argentina
July 28, 1821 – Peru
Sept. 15, 1821 – Costa Rica
Sept. 15, 1821 – El Salvador
Sept. 15, 1821 – Guatemala
Sept. 15, 1821 – Honduras
Sept. 15, 1821 – Nicaragua
May 24, 1822 – Ecuador
Sept. 7, 1822 – Brazil
August 6, 1825 – Bolivia
August 25, 1825 – Uruguay
1829 – Greece
October 4, 1830 – Belgium
1839 – Luxembourg
February 27, 1844 – Dominican Republic
July 26, 1847 – Liberia
March 17, 1861 – Italy
July 1, 1867 – Canada
January 18, 1871 – Germany
May 9, 1877 – Romania
March 3, 1878 – Bulgaria
1896 – Ethiopia
June 12, 1898 – Philippines
January 1, 1901 – Australia
May 20, 1902 – Cuba
November 3, 1903 – Panama
June 7, 1905 – Norway
Sept. 26, 1907 – New Zealand
May 31, 1910 – South Africa
November 28, 1912 – Albania
December 6, 1917 – Finland
November 11, 1918 – Poland
December 1, 1918 – Iceland
August 19, 1919 – Afghanistan
December 6, 1921 – Ireland
February 28, 1922 – Egypt
October 29, 1923 – Turkey
February 11, 1929 – Vatican City
Sept. 23, 1932 – Saudi Arabia
October 3, 1932 – Iraq
November 22, 1943 – Lebanon
August 15, 1945 – Korea, North
August 15, 1945 – Korea, South
August 17, 1945 – Indonesia
Sept. 2, 1945 – Vietnam
April 17, 1946 – Syria
May 25, 1946 – Jordan
August 14, 1947 – Pakistan
August 15, 1947 – India
January 4, 1948 – Burma
February 4, 1948 – Sri Lanka
May 14, 1948 – Israel
July 19, 1949 – Laos
August 8, 1949 – Bhutan
December 24, 1951 – Libya
November 9, 1953 – Cambodia
January 1, 1956 – Sudan
March 2, 1956 – Morocco
March 20, 1956 – Tunisia
March 6, 1957 – Ghana
August 31, 1957 – Malaysia
October 2, 1958 – Guinea
January 1, 1960 – Cameroon
April 4, 1960 – Senegal
May 27, 1960 – Togo
June 30, 1960 – Congo, Republic of the
July 1, 1960 – Somalia
July 26, 1960 – Madagascar
August 1, 1960 – Benin
August 3, 1960 – Niger
August 5, 1960 – Burkina Faso
August 7, 1960 – Cote d’Ivorie
August 11, 1960 – Chad
August 13, 1960 – Central African Republic
August 15, 1960 – Congo, Dem. Rep. of the
August 16, 1960 – Cyprus
August 17, 1960 – Gabon
Sept. 22, 1960 – Mali
October 1, 1960 – Nigeria
November 28, 1960 – Mauritania
April 27, 1961 – Sierra Leone
June 19, 1961 – Kuwait
January 1, 1962 – Samoa
July 1, 1962 – Burundi
July 1, 1962 – Rwanda
July 5, 1962 – Algeria
August 6, 1962 – Jamaica
August 31, 1962 – Trinidad and Tobago
October 9, 1962 – Uganda
December 12, 1963 – Kenya
April 26, 1964 – Tanzania
July 6, 1964 – Malawi
Sept. 21, 1964 – Malta
October 24, 1964 – Zambia
February 18, 1965 – Gambia, The
July 26, 1965 – Maldives
August 9, 1965 – Singapore
May 26, 1966 – Guyana
September 30, 1966 – Botswana
October 4, 1966 – Lesotho
November 30, 1966 – Barbados
January 31, 1968 – Nauru
March 12, 1968 – Mauritius
Sept. 6, 1968 – Swaziland
October 12, 1968 – Equatorial
June 4, 1970 – Tonga
October 10, 1970 – Fiji
March 26, 1971 – Bangladesh
August 15, 1971 – Bahrain
Sept. 3, 1971 – Qatar
November 2, 1971 – United Arab Emirates
July 10, 1973 – Bahamas
Sept. 24, 1973 – Guinea-Bissau
February 7, 1974 – Grenada
June 25, 1975 – Mozambique
July 5, 1975 – Cape Verde
July 6, 1975 – Comoros
July 12, 1975 – Sao Tome and Principe
Sept. 16, 1975 – Papua New Guinea
November 11, 1975 – Angola
November 25, 1975 – Suriname
June 29, 1976 – Seychelles
June 27, 1977 – Djibouti
July 7, 1978 – Solomon Islands
October 1, 1978 – Tuvalu
November 3, 1978 – Dominica
February 22, 1979 – Saint Lucia
July 12, 1979 – Kiribati
October 27, 1979 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
April 18, 1980 – Zimbabwe
July 30, 1980 – Vanuatu
January 11, 1981 – Antigua and Barbuda
Sept. 21, 1981 – Belize
Sept. 19, 1983 – Saint Kitts and Nevis
January 1, 1984 – Brunei
October 21, 1986 – Marshall Islands
November 3, 1986 – Micronesia, Federated States of
March 11, 1990 – Lithuania
March 21, 1990 – Namibia
May 22, 1990 – Yemen
April 9, 1991 – Georgia
June 25, 1991 – Croatia
June 25, 1991 – Slovenia
August 20, 1991 – Estonia
August 21, 1991 – Kyrgyzstan
August 24, 1991 – Russia
August 25, 1991 – Belarus
August 27, 1991 – Moldova
August 30, 1991 – Azerbaijan
Sept. 1, 1991 – Uzbekistan
Sept. 6, 1991 – Latvia
Sept. 8, 1991 – Macedonia
Sept. 9, 1991 – Tajikistan
Sept. 21, 1991 – Armenia
October 27, 1991 – Turkmenistan
November 24, 1991 – Ukraine
December 16, 1991 – Kazakhstan
March 3, 1992 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
January 1, 1993 – Czech Republic
January 1, 1993 – Slovakia
May 24, 1993 – Eritrea
October 1, 1994 – Palau
May 20, 2002 – East Timor
June 3, 2006 – Montenegro
June 5, 2006 – Serbia
February 17, 2008 – Kosovo

Recent Updates not listed on the About.com list:

October 10, 2010 – The Netherlands Antilles, an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was dissolved on 10 October 2010.It was created originally of communities from various islands in the Caribbean that formed a single autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

After dissolution, the islands of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius became special municipalities of the Netherlands proper, while Curaçao and Sint Maarten became constituent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along the lines of Aruba, which had separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. (wikipedia)

July 9, 2011 – South Sudan